Importing an American motorhome. We're seeking experienced advice.

Hi Bob ,I believe he sent it from LA then to Tokyo ,then to Adelaide,as the rates were better LA to Tokyo as it is a busy run then to Adelaide
Cheers

Hi Bob,
Ditto to Bigreds comments,
Steering conversion cost AND dramas. Probably a full set of tyres & seat belts as they wont comply here also headlights.
US/Canada 110volt wiring does NOT comply here. (total 240 volt rewire...new A/Cond & fridge??).
You will have to put in an access door on the opposite side.

Think seriously about your intended purchase.....any savings on purchase price will soon be outweighed by importing, conversion & compliance costs!!
Good luck

Pre 1989 doesn't need to be converted.

Importing a pre 1989 vehicle

As long as the vehicle is more than 30 years old you don't need to change to RHD and can leave it as is BUT having driven a LHD vehicle on Aussie roads for an extended period it isn't without its dangers.
The big one is approaching an angled intersection on your right in a vehicle with large blindspots you cannot see the oncoming traffic, changing lanes to the right is also a problem as well as merging lanes as you are relying totally on your mirrors.
Electrical and gas upgrades are required to Aussie standards as well which may involve replacing appliances if 240v or gas bits are not available for the existing items.

Hi Bigfish.
"Buy local and save no stress". "No warranty".
Been there, done that. = Heaps of stress trying to get the manufacturer to honour the warranty !
For us it's more about the quality you get for your money. After meeting people here and seeing there motorhomes, hearing there stories, and comparing what we get for our money here wether it be a caravan or or a bus conversion, for us there is just no comparison.
We currently own an true off road caravan and tow it with our cruiser.


We are looking at more touring and less off road.

Bob , you are probably better off just biting the bullet and doing it. Can you get the manufacturer over there to wire it up for 240 volts. Get the solar on the roof. Just thinking , the tyres should be ok as we import from America anyway(Canada may be another issue. ). Anyway you,ll end up with a set of tyres you will use anyway!

I don't know much about the local business,s. Have read some horror stories though.

Good luck and its good to see people doing their homework properly before departing with their hard earned dollars.

cheers

RE Generators, there have been requirements for the generatosr to be modified to 240v
& replated with new details, I know of that occurring in QLD.


PeterQ

PeterQ, Have an OT question for you. Is it legal to wire a 110v circuit into a kitchen using a stepdown transformer and using US plugs etc. Discussion on another forum. I say no but could be wrong.

Has been said that NO its not legal See here for a good description
http://caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/imported-rv-electrics/
and here
http://caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/caravan-and-motor-home-compliance/

BunderDog posted:
PeterQ, Have an OT question for you. Is it legal to wire a 110v circuit into a kitchen using a stepdown transformer and using US plugs etc. Discussion on another forum. I say no but could be wrong.

HI
Two Anwsers:
Any electrics exceeding 50V Ac must comply to Aus standards to be approved & legal[That includes appliances ]
The use of step down transformer does not comply to Aus standards BUT
A long time ago exemptions were made for people who bought a van ecs while overseas & wanted to bring it back to Aus

Transformers were allowed for that purpose but only for the actual owner who brought it home
They were given special approval But that approval is not transferable to another buyer of the van.

That system has been abused by middle men & has got out of control
There are definate safery issues with such set ups, which is why they CANNOT comply to Aus Standards
You may note that some of the middle men suggest they will get all the "compliancing" GAS & Electric done for you,I would suggest you ???????
BEWARE It cannot be compliance approved to AUS standards.
.All they have done is put the problem back onto you If you wish to resell
Some time ago ,about 3years, from memory there was a looong & heated discussion on this forum
If you searth for 240/ 110V transformer it should come up
In fact you will find many RV forums have the same subject
Caravan & motor home ,Caravanners, Grey nomads to name 3 .
It was also on the old CMCA forum
Collynn Has verified what I had posted in much earliers.
I gave him my contacts in some state ESOs & with the elecrical STANDARDS committee

PeterQ
in Aus ESO officed & with STandards Aus I gave him contacts

Hi
Further to the above post

The only way a240 to 110V transformer can be used is
IF it is connected to a single appliance'/ tool
In the case of kitchen appliances preferably permanently wired & built in the EACH appliance

Certainly cannot be on a circuit suppling multiple outlets
Perhaps that person is referring to a clause in the Standards which basically ONLY applies to hotels & such for use of guests from overseas
There are strict requirements to that , including, maintaining total isolation from other ciruits including earths
Some do misread THAT
But A check with any states's ESO should clarify
The above has also been confirmed to me@ the same time as the VAn situation [several years ago ,PRE COL Rivers article]

PeterQ

A newer one would require a full conversion Pre 1989 doesnt apparently

Thanks Wayne.
If we end up doing this, wherever we buy it.
We were thinking that it would be much cheaper for us to drive it to say Vancouver and ship it out from there, given the better $ exchange rate.
What do you think ? How would you go about it please ?
I imagine that I would like to go to the USA to view and test drive myself. I've heard that there are some good agents to hire to act on your behalf ?
We've still got plenty of homework to do ! Lol.
I envy your position and adventures.
It would be an awesome adventure to travel around the USA.

Hi Bob
Don't know where you are picking the truck up but you would have to drive it to Vancouver before any of the snow hits. Let me tell you it is scary stuff driving in snow, especially when people don't slow down.
Some dealers will let you hire their vehicles so it may be worth spending some time to drive around before you buy if that is an option, just make sure you take out insurance. The other thing is the cost of driving to Vancouver from wherever and shipping costs, when you work out the difference in exchange rates it may not be all that much of a saving.
If you want to watch the Ozzie dollar for trends I would follow FXChartsdaily.com. I know the guy that does that page and he has been pretty spot on for the last couple of years (I had 30 years as a currency trader in OZ, London and NY).
We have been lucky enough to have seen 39 states so far and spent last year away from Virginia most weekends plus a couple of short breaks. But I am looking forward to getting back to Oz and getting out to the peace and quiet of the bush.

Bob, Forgot to mention you can also get a Carfax report on the vehicle.
Carfax.com buy and sell cars over here and it is a great system. Take your vehicle in to them and they will give you a firm purchase price within 30 minutes. I took an 18 month old Ford Explorer in to them and they were $2500 better than my trade in price. Their vehicle are sold at sticker price, what you see is what you pay. They will search title, any damage history plus do an inspection of the vehicle. Ask the seller if they have a report and if not ask them to get one, could save you a lot of money.

Hi Wayne.
Thanks for your informative advice, much appreciated.
That's quite a background you have. :-)
39 states ! Wow. You guys would have a load of great campfire stories to tell !
At the end of this school term we will be driving to the S/E QLD coast for a 2 week break.
Once a week we drive out to the lake or into the desert for a campfire and bbq with friends, love country life, even in winter.
We will keep on doing our research, everytime we ask a question we learn something, we have emailed some shipping company's and received quote's on some different routes.
We have discovered that there is a lot of junk motorhomes for sale.
A couple who we met at a vintage caravan/hotrod weekend who have one, flew into LA, started looking there,
Then 4 states and 2 weeks later they found what they were looking for.
They then spent 3 and a half weeks touring and organising the shipping of their motorhome.
Cheers.